Peter renk



(No Model.)

P. RENK.

ATTACHMENT FOR GITHBRNS.

Patented Aug. 3, 1897.

Innmlar [3% @hnfl Wilnesses awn MLM/h UNITED STATES PATENT ()EEIcE.

PETER RENK, OF LEIPSIO, GERMANY.

ATTACHMENT FOR CITHERNS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 587,454, dated August 3, 1897.

Application filed March 20, 1896. Serial No. 584:,159- (NO model.)

To (0% whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, PETER RENK, a subject of the King of Saxony, residing at Leipsic, Saxony, Germany, have made a new and use ful invention in the improvements in apparatus with twelve sordine-boards and twelve corresponding key-boards, every one emulating the effect of its sordine-board when it is pressed down, of which the following is a full and clear specification.

This invention relates to an apparatus which when placed across a chromaticallystringed cithern or other similar musical instrument enables all the chords or harmonies that occur in music to be produced on such instrument.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the apparatus Fig. 2, a sectional plan taken on the line 50 5c of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 a plan corresponding to Fig. 1.

This apparatus is contained in a box-like case which can be placed over the cithern or other similar instrument transversely to the strings u of such instrument, as shown in Fig. 2.

a a represent twelve damper-bars hung on springs b. Each of these damper-bars corresponds to all the strings of the same name or note that there may be in the instrument and is furnished with a damper c for each of such strings. For example, the first bar a on the left hand corresponds to all the Us, the next to all the C-sharps, the next to all the Ds, and so on. All these bars are so arranged that their dampers 0 come immediately over their respective strings. Over these bars a is placed a bridge 62', which is pivoted at one end on pins 6, fixed in the case. The other end rests on two springs vi, arranged one at each side of the case, and which constantly tend to press the said bridge up into its normal position. (Shown in Fig. 1.)

Immediately over the bridge d, but with a small intervening space between it and them, are placed the key-bars j, which are pivoted on pins g, fixed in the case. These key-bars carry at one end the keys h. 011 the upper surface of these key-bars are fitted springs 70, which when the keys are released return the bars f into their normal positions.

In order to prevent side play of the damper-bars a and key-bars f, the former are guided by sheetmetal plates Z at both ends taking into notches m, and the latter at one end only by similar sheet metal plates taking into the same notches, while the wooden bar n, furnished with small pins, serves as a guide for the other ends of the bars f.

Below each of the key-bars f is a third bar p, pivoted on the pin 0, fixed to the bar f. The free end of this third bar 1) lies loosely on the corresponding damper-bar a and has at its end a slot g, which receives a pinr, fixed in the damper-bar and which pin serves as a guide for the intermediate bar 19. The loose free end of this bar p projects, when in its normal position, a short distance under the bridge 01.

It will now be understood that when one of the keys h is pressed down the rear end of its key-bar f is raised. The intermediate bar 19, connected with the said bar, is likewise drawn up, and its loose end slides out from under the bridge, quite free of the latter. The front end of the key-bar f in its descent comes in contact with and pushes the bridge 61 downward, and as the loose ends of all the other intermediate bars p remain still under the bridge d the latter bears on these loose ends, and these again on the damper-bars a, which are therefore forced to participate in the downward motion, and consequently the dampers c on these bars a are pressed against their corresponding strings and all the strings are damped except those corresponding to the key that has been depressed, so that if the strings of the instrument are struck those of which the key h has been depressed sound in all their octaves, but those that have been damped remain silent.

If three, four, or more keys are pressed down at once, all the damper-bars corresponding to them are thrown out of action and all strings of the instrument having the same name as these keys sound when struck while all the strings are damped.

As the combination of the keys to be pressed down can be varied, as required, it is possible to produce every chord or harmony that can occur in music.

The cross-bar 8 serves as the point of resistance for the springs k, and the pins 15 serve for guiding and holding the case of the appasubstantially as described with reference to ratus in position on the instrument. the accompanying drawings.

Having now described my invention, what In testimony whereof I have signed my I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patname to this specification in the presence of 5 ent, is two subscribing witnesses.

The'a )aratus for dam )in" the strin s of 1 Y citherns ind other simil a-r iiiusical ingtru- PETER RENIX' ments, which consists of a series of keys h, Vitnesses:

intermediate bars 1), damper-bars a, and a EDUARD LOEPER, 1o pivoted bridge d, combined and operating RUDOLPH FRICKE. 

